Thursday, November 30, 2017

Deuteronomy 21:1-3 (KJV)If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;

The city officials took responsibility for the loss of life if the guilty party could not be found. Our cities would be better places if those in authority took responsibility before God for the crimes of the city.

Notice that they didn’t write new laws to restrict the freedoms of their citizens. Such an action ultimately puts the blame on the citizens rather than the officials. What they did was appeal to God for mercy. Here is our country’s great problem. Our leaders are:

Moving farther away from God

Refusing to accept spiritual accountability and therefore

Blaming the problems on everyone other than those God made accountable

Deuteronomy 21:1-3 (KJV) Revival In Government

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Deuteronomy 19:4-5 (KJV)And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

More modern versions of the Bible change the Ten Commandments to read, “Thou shalt not murder” rather than the King James, Thou shalt not kill.

Invariably they will claim the more modern version is more accurate. They will also likely point out that the newer translation solves a problem with the King James; that being that “kill” includes other times when the Bible approves death such as in war or in the case of the death penalty. No such problem exists for the one who will but read all of God’s Word. Thou shalt not kill is completely appropriate. No modern improvement is necessary. All we need to do is compare Scripture with Scripture. Here we have but one example where the Word of God defines that sort of “kill” that is against the commandments and that which is not.

Just read your Bible. The King James Bible will make plenty of sense if you will do that.

Deuteronomy 19:4-5 (KJV) Just Read Your Bible

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Tuesday, November 28, 2017

1 Thessalonians 3:6-7 (KJV)But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

Paul was a man, subject to like passions as we all. God used him in marvelous ways and blessed his work supernaturally. I am certain he was a man of God and, though not perfect, a perfect example for the preacher.

Paul’s ministry was attacked again and again in his day, yet he held firm that he preached, “not as pleasing men but God, which trieth our heart.” Still, he hurt when those he loved chose not to love him and he rejoiced whenever he learned that those he had preached to held on to their love for him. When he received word from Timothy that the church in Thessalonica “greatly desired” to see him his soul was lifted in joy. He too longed to see them.

I personally know a great many Christians that I would love to see again. Many of them I will likely not see this side of eternity. Some of them have no desire to see me and, in fact, avoid me. But those who, ever so often, communicate their love for me and that they miss me – those Christians rejoice my heart.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-7 (KJV) I Would Love to See You Again

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Monday, November 27, 2017

1 Thessalonians 2:2 (KJV)But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Paul was quite the man.

Years of ministry had left him with a litany of adventures to rehearse, whenever the circumstances warranted. In this case he recalled to the church in Thessalonica his introduction to them.

He had just come from Philippi where he said he and his companions had been shamefully treated. Paul and Silas had been beaten there and thrown into prison. God used the experience but it would have been a tough one.

Now he comes to Thessalonica. Paul reminded them that, though they had suffered in Philippi, his entrance in Thessalonica was with boldness and contention. A battle in Philippi in no way left him reticent to battle in Thessalonica.

I just received a periodical whose current edition is on the manly church. A manly church requires but one thing, a manly preacher. That manliness is not defined in guns, weight lifting or tattoos. Manliness is defined as boldness in preaching the gospel and willingness to engage the unsaved with the Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 (KJV) Manliness

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Paul, and
Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God
the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Cambridge Bible notes
calls the phrase, “in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ” the definition of a true
church. The word for church, ecclesia, was a common word. It refers to an
assembly. Paul meant to distinguish his audience in Thessalonica from other
assemblies that may have existed in that city at that time.

This assembly is,

In God the Father

It is not a city
counsel meeting

It is not a
fraternal order

It is not a pagan
gathering

This assembly is recognized
as existing in God the Father:

His plan,

His glory and

His purpose

Further this assembly is,

In the Lord Jesus Christ

This distinguishes it from
any Jewish gathering or synagogue. This assembly is:

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV) The Definition of a True Church

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Saturday, November 25, 2017

Colossians 4:1 (KJV)Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

The founders of the United States said often that the Constitution and government they had created would only work for a Christian people. They knew that the nature of man could not be forced to do right but must choose it. They knew that the only motivation that could consistently lead men to choose right is faith in the God of the Bible. No other god leads men to such heights of self sacrifice. Most other gods, as they are described in their religious teachings, are themselves petty and immoral.

And so we see, in our text, one of the greatest motivators for being just with our fellow man; knowing, not merely believing but knowing, we all have a master in heaven.

Colossians 4:1 (KJV) A Master In Heaven

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Colossians 3:3-4 (KJV) Dead, But Alive

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Thursday, November 23, 2017

Colossians 2:5 (KJV)For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Some students of the Bible believe that Paul did not plant the church in Colossi. They believe he led some key members of that church to the Lord while working in Ephesus and that they returned home to plant this church.

Consider then when Paul says he is absent in the flesh but present in the spirit. He does not mean he misses them personally. He means they are of the same spirit. When he says he beholds their order and their steadfastness in the faith he means that, though he has never witnessed it personally he knows exactly what it looks like because he has seen it in like churches in other places.

Order refers to their practice in the church.

Faith refers to the doctrines they preach.

Steadfastness speaks of their unwavering dedication to them both.

Some people complain about tradition. I, like Apostle Paul, rejoice in tradition. It is the steadfastness of our order and faith.

Fellowship stems from these. With like order and faith we may rejoice with congregations we will never see in the flesh but share with frequently in the spirit.

Colossians 2:5 (KJV) Stedfast in Faith and Order

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Colossians 1:15-18 (KJV)Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:15-18 (KJV) He Is…

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Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The word, “therefore” always draws us back to a previous doctrine. In this verse that doctrine supports the reason we ought to stand fast in the Lord.

Philippians 3:20-21For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Here is the truth that is meant to be the motivation for all Christian behavior, our heavenly promises. Frankly if a person is not willing to live for them he has no rightful claim to faith at all.

Philippians 4:1 (KJV) The Motivation of the Believer

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Philippians 3:3 (KJV) True Israel

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Sunday, November 19, 2017

Philippians 2:27 (KJV)For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Sorrow upon sorrow.

The book of Philippians is one of the most positive things Paul wrote; maybe the most positive. Yet even in this book he admits he had sorrow and that, had Epaphroditus died, the sorrow added to his sorrow may have been more than he could bear.

Here is the lot of the Biblical preacher. He bears a burden that is overwhelming, except Christ sustain him. Spurgeon once wrote, “Depression is the lot of the preacher. God will not share His glory.” The preacher wisely seldom reveals his heartache. He lives above the burden only through Christ lifting him over it. But it is there.

His weakness

His inability to win the souls of all he would like

His heartbreak over the backslider

His sense of failure that his message was not sufficient to minister to one or another in the congregation

These things weight on him.

But God has mercy. The burden is never so much he cannot continue. Only enough that he must rest in Jesus to carry on.

Philippians 2:27 (KJV) The Preacher’s Lot

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Saturday, November 18, 2017

Philippians 1:12 (KJV)But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Every preacher could use some friends like those Paul had in Philippi. He likely never saw their faces again (though he did pray it would happen). But the memory of them stirred his soul with joy until the very end of his life.

Turning from the subject of his love and appreciation for them, Paul addresses his imprisonment. He was concerned that they understood he was not concerned. This was to the glory of God.
The healthiest view any of us can have in a time of struggle is the view that God’s plan is to turn it for good. Paul even knew that some were mocking and spiting him. It made no matter to him. He held no grudge because God’s Word was still preached.

The best way to avoid bitterness, defeat and depression and stay victorious in your Christian life is to trust that, in whatever circumstance, God is working out His glory.

Philippians 1:12 (KJV) The Best Way To Avoid Bitterness

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Friday, November 17, 2017

Deuteronomy 12:8-10 (KJV)Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;

It was in the vicinity of four hundred years after these words were spoken before David brought the Ark to Jerusalem. Then it was only after David had died that God allowed for Solomon to build the Temple.

God had told David he could not build the Temple because he was a man of war. Specifically, it wasn’t because of David personally, but because they were still at war in David’s lifetime. It was under Solomon that Israel had rest from their enemies and dwelt safely.

We must not rush the things of God. His plan is sound and true and right but it is His plan, not ours. No good thing will come from forcing what is right. Only when God does His plan through us will eternal work be accomplished.

Deuteronomy 12:8-10 (KJV) No Rush

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His Name Is Jesus

About Me

I was born in the Pacific Northwest and have lived the majority of my life right here. I became a Christian at the age of 18. God has allowed me to pastor Baptist churches in Washington and Oregon for the better part of 30 years. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to serve as the executive vice president of Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, CA and move with the college to become Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City, OK.